Documents and Meetings calling for Independence

1st Continental Congress September 1774 Philadelphia, PA Delegates from some colonies came together to discuss possible actions against the British taxes and laws Decided to boycott British goods Ban trade with Britain Began to train soldiers for a possible war

According to North Carolinian folk-lore, some citizens of Mecklenburg Co. gathered in Charlotte on May 20, 1775 and signed a declaration of independence from Britain- the 1st of these in the American colonies. Not a lot of documented evidence. The story was popularized in later years by some who claimed to have been signatories. The document itself was alleged to have burned in a fire in 1800 The date of the event was memorialized on the state seal and on the state flag. Mecklenburg Resolves

The Olive Branch Petition July 5-8, 1775 Written by John Dickinson, Colonists expressed their desire to achieve “a happy and permanent reconciliation” Directed to George III. It issued a sharp protest against repressive British policies asked the king to halt the war, repeal the Intolerable Acts to bring about reconciliation. While critical of Parliament and the king's ministers, the petition described the relationship between the American colonies and the mother country as “the wonder and envy of other nations.” Loyalty to the king was not challenged The King rejected the petition

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense Published anonymously in 1776 6 months before “Declaration of Independence” Paine's “Common Sense” was a radical and passionate call for America to free itself from British rule and to set up an independent government. Paine pushed for country where personal freedom and social equality would be upheld. His pamphlet was the first to speak directly to a mass audience - it went through fifty-six editions within a year of publication Converted thousands of citizens to the cause of American independence.

4TH Provincial Congress of NC Halifax Assembly The Halifax Resolves were the first official acts by any of the 13 colonies calling for independence from Great Britain. The state of NC, on April 12, 1776, authorized her delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence. The 83 delegates present in Halifax, NC at the Fourth Provincial Congress unanimously adopted the Halifax Resolves

Fourth Provincial Congress Halifax, NC This mural, by artist Francis Vandeveer Kughler, depicts the delegates to the Fourth Provincial Congress at Halifax leaving the Halifax courthouse at nightfall on April 12, 1776, after they had voted "to concur in independency" by adopting the Halifax Resolves. Among those in the scene are Samuel Johnson, Thomas Burke, and Cornelius Harnett

Why were the Halifax Resolves important? The Halifax Resolves were taken by NC delegates to Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Virginia followed with her own recommendations soon after the adoption of the Halifax Resolution, and eventually on July 4, the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed. William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and John Penn were the delegates from North Carolina who signed the Declaration of Independence.

2ND Continental Congress Philadelphia, PA Summer of 1776 Delegates from each of the 13 colonies Set up Continental Army - Washington Commander Served as temporary government during war Sent Olive Branch Petition Signed Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in the morning of a bright, sunny, but cool Philadelphia day. John Dunlap prints the Declaration of Independence. These prints are now called "Dunlap Broadsides." Twenty-four copies are known to exist, two of which are in the Library of Congress. One of these was Washington's personal copy. Written by Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1776 Declare independence from Britain Lists complaints against the King and Parliament

5TH Provincial Congress of NC The fifth and final congress met at Halifax from Nov. 12-Dec. 23, 1776. This congress: approved the first NC Constitution, along with a "Declaration of Rights." It elected Caswell to serve as acting governor until the province's 1st General Assembly could meet to elect a governor Set-up 3 branches of government, the General Assembly held the true power. The General Assembly picked Judges, the Governor and the members in the Council of State. Judges had life terms Governors had a one-year term. The Governor had little power Only landowners could vote for Senators until 1857. To hold state office required land ownership until 1868.